Gilroy sets up dream tie as Burscough hopes go for a Burton

Burton Albion will host Manchester United in the most intriguing tie of next month's FA Cup third round after Nigel Clough's side knocked out Burscough, the smallest team left in the competition.

The Unibond League side's first-round victory over Gillingham of League One had raised hopes that a victory over last night's Conference opponents might be within their scope. But those hopes were effectively extinguished within 37 minutes as Burton swept into a seemingly unassailable lead.

After 16 minutes, Burton were looking comfortable.

Keith Gilroy and Shaun Harrad, who had combined for the opener, set up the Albion captain Darren Stride, whose shot carried too much power for the Burscough goalkeeper Matthew Boswell. It was not all one-way traffic. Only a point-blank stop by Saul Deeney from Tony Gray, followed by a goalline block by Chris Hall as Liam Blakeman followed up, preserved Burton's two-goal lead on the half-hour. But when Gilroy, drove home a third for Clough's side, the dream third-round tie was virtually in the bag.

Burscough refused to cave in and Burton were forced to defend under sustained pressure from the start of the second half. Matthew Parry and David Eaton drew fine saves from Deeney before a goal on the hour from Eaton, who somehow forced the ball over the line after Karl Bell's effort had been blocked.

Harrad ended any doubts over the outcome by tapping home from close range with six minutes left.

Burton Albion (4-4-2): Deeney; Henshaw (Rowett, 64), Tinson, Austin, Corbett; Hall (Todd, 64), Stride, Sedgemore, Gilroy (Ducros, 85); Shaw, Harrad. Substitutes not used: Taylor (gk), Anderson.

Burscough (4-4-2): Boswell; Barlow, Tong (Underwood, 12), Bell, Dames (Rowan, 78); Parry, Bowen, Blakeman, Crowder; Eaton, Gray (McKevitt, 85). Substitutes not used: Newnes (gk), Nightingale.

Referee: J Moss (West Yorkshire).